Who needs a reason to dress up? No one, so make every day a formal affair with this adornment! Daintily designed with a cluster of jet black spinel against a hammered shank, this gold embraced™ ring is the picture of elegant allure! While these stones may be diminutive on their own, together they're a pave set powerhouse of a statement with sparkle to spare.

All weights pertaining to gemstones, including diamonds, are minimum weights.
Additionally, please note that many gemstones are treated to enhance their beauty. Click here for important information about gemstone enhancements and special care requirements.

Spinel: The great imposter of gemstone history, many famous rubies have been found to actually be spinels. Perhaps the most famous of which is the Black Prince’s Ruby. Once worn by Henry V on his battle helmet, this 170.00ct red spinel is now set in the British Imperial State Crown. Another famous misidentification is the Timur Ruby, a 352.00ct red spinel now owned by Queen Elizabeth. This particular stone is engraved with the names of the Mughal emperors who previously owned it.

History is unclear whether these mistaken identities were merely accidents or clever substitutions of rubies for the less valuable spinels by dishonest jewelers. In Burma, spinel was recognized as a separate gem species in 1587, but the masquerade lasted for hundreds of years after that in most other countries.

Spinel carries a considerable amount of worth not only based on its history, but due to its brilliance and wide range of spectacular colors. When interpreted by the Greek, the word “spinel” means “spark” in reference to its beautiful sparkle. While a rich red is the most common color, spinel can be found in shades of pink, purple, green, brown or black. An exceptional color from Burma is a vivid hot pink with an orange undertone. Spinel can also come in a beautiful blue hue, sometimes called cobalt spinel, but this color is quite rare.

The main obstacle holding back greater recognition for spinel is rarity. Fine spinels are now more rare than the rubies they used to imitate. Strangely, however, they are also more affordable, since too rare can be a drawback because such few people have the opportunity to grow to love them. The most beautiful colors of the stone are mined in Myanmar (formerly Burma), but spinels are also found in Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Russia. They have a hardness of 7.5-8.0 on the Mohs Scale and are traditionally given as a 22nd wedding anniversary gift.

Vermeil Plating:
Pronounced "vermay," vermeil is an electroplating process in which 14K gold or higher is coated over sterling silver. Officially designated by the jewelry industry, items may only be sold as vermeil if they have a minimum thickness of 100 millionths of an inch (2.5 microns) of gold over the silver. Regular gold plating is less than 2.5 microns.

The "vermeil" technique of plating sterling silver with gold originated in France in the 1750s. It differs from "gold filled" or "gold plated" in terms of the thickness or thinness of the microns over sterling silver. "Gold filled" pieces have a much thicker layer, between 15 and 45 microns, which is mechanically bonded to the base metal with heat and pressure. Vermeil is a more expensive version of "gold plated". It does not wear off as quickly as gold plating does. However, over time, vermeil wears off and therefore will require re-plating.

Gold/Platinum Embraced Silver or Bronze:
Our platinum and gold embraced collections feature layers of platinum or gold over sterling silver or bronze for a lustrous, radiant finish everywhere you look and touch.

Store your plated jewelry in a jewelry box lined with felt or anti-tarnish material. Items should not be stacked as this may cause damage to the plating surface.

Do not use excessive pressure when cleaning with a polishing cloth or soft brush, as this may cause damage to the plating.

Over time your plated items will need to be re-plated. Contact your local jeweler for information on plating services.

About the Collection
Feel elegant everyday with Portofino Italian Jewelry - a bold and sophisticated jewelry collection available exclusively at EVINE Live. Inspired by La Dolce Vita, or “the sweet life” in Italian, Portofino reimagines classic designs to deliver a refined modern look. Distinctly Italian in design, Portofino is crafted from exquisite 18K Gold Embraced™ sterling silver or bronze so you can enjoy luxurious looking jewelry without breaking the bank.

The Portofino label also features the Portofino Signature collection, offering bold designs crafted from 18K Gold Embraced bronze for unparalleled elegance and value. These exclusive rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces have been embraced with brushed or polished gold for pieces perfect for entertaining, relaxing or going out.

About the Guest
With more than a decade experience in the fashion and jewelry industry, Angela Lanotte brings a unique perspective to the Portofino brand. Her passion for jewelry and Italian design has defined her extensive career. In addition to working in sales positions for many well-known brands, Angela has also served as a fashion consultant on major catwalks in Milan - one of the world's most renowned design capitals. Join Angela as she takes you on a journey to the Italian Riviera with this exclusive and exquisite jewelry collection.

Who needs a reason to dress up? No one, so make every day a formal affair with this adornment! Daintily designed with a cluster of jet black spinel against a hammered shank, this gold embraced™ ring is the picture of elegant allure! While these stones may be diminutive on their own, together they're a pave set powerhouse of a statement with sparkle to spare.

All weights pertaining to gemstones, including diamonds, are minimum weights.
Additionally, please note that many gemstones are treated to enhance their beauty. Click here for important information about gemstone enhancements and special care requirements.

Spinel: The great imposter of gemstone history, many famous rubies have been found to actually be spinels. Perhaps the most famous of which is the Black Prince’s Ruby. Once worn by Henry V on his battle helmet, this 170.00ct red spinel is now set in the British Imperial State Crown. Another famous misidentification is the Timur Ruby, a 352.00ct red spinel now owned by Queen Elizabeth. This particular stone is engraved with the names of the Mughal emperors who previously owned it.

History is unclear whether these mistaken identities were merely accidents or clever substitutions of rubies for the less valuable spinels by dishonest jewelers. In Burma, spinel was recognized as a separate gem species in 1587, but the masquerade lasted for hundreds of years after that in most other countries.

Spinel carries a considerable amount of worth not only based on its history, but due to its brilliance and wide range of spectacular colors. When interpreted by the Greek, the word “spinel” means “spark” in reference to its beautiful sparkle. While a rich red is the most common color, spinel can be found in shades of pink, purple, green, brown or black. An exceptional color from Burma is a vivid hot pink with an orange undertone. Spinel can also come in a beautiful blue hue, sometimes called cobalt spinel, but this color is quite rare.

The main obstacle holding back greater recognition for spinel is rarity. Fine spinels are now more rare than the rubies they used to imitate. Strangely, however, they are also more affordable, since too rare can be a drawback because such few people have the opportunity to grow to love them. The most beautiful colors of the stone are mined in Myanmar (formerly Burma), but spinels are also found in Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Russia. They have a hardness of 7.5-8.0 on the Mohs Scale and are traditionally given as a 22nd wedding anniversary gift.

Vermeil Plating:
Pronounced "vermay," vermeil is an electroplating process in which 14K gold or higher is coated over sterling silver. Officially designated by the jewelry industry, items may only be sold as vermeil if they have a minimum thickness of 100 millionths of an inch (2.5 microns) of gold over the silver. Regular gold plating is less than 2.5 microns.

The "vermeil" technique of plating sterling silver with gold originated in France in the 1750s. It differs from "gold filled" or "gold plated" in terms of the thickness or thinness of the microns over sterling silver. "Gold filled" pieces have a much thicker layer, between 15 and 45 microns, which is mechanically bonded to the base metal with heat and pressure. Vermeil is a more expensive version of "gold plated". It does not wear off as quickly as gold plating does. However, over time, vermeil wears off and therefore will require re-plating.

Gold/Platinum Embraced Silver or Bronze:
Our platinum and gold embraced collections feature layers of platinum or gold over sterling silver or bronze for a lustrous, radiant finish everywhere you look and touch.

Store your plated jewelry in a jewelry box lined with felt or anti-tarnish material. Items should not be stacked as this may cause damage to the plating surface.

Do not use excessive pressure when cleaning with a polishing cloth or soft brush, as this may cause damage to the plating.

Over time your plated items will need to be re-plated. Contact your local jeweler for information on plating services.

About the Collection

About the Collection
Feel elegant everyday with Portofino Italian Jewelry - a bold and sophisticated jewelry collection available exclusively at EVINE Live. Inspired by La Dolce Vita, or “the sweet life” in Italian, Portofino reimagines classic designs to deliver a refined modern look. Distinctly Italian in design, Portofino is crafted from exquisite 18K Gold Embraced™ sterling silver or bronze so you can enjoy luxurious looking jewelry without breaking the bank.

The Portofino label also features the Portofino Signature collection, offering bold designs crafted from 18K Gold Embraced bronze for unparalleled elegance and value. These exclusive rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces have been embraced with brushed or polished gold for pieces perfect for entertaining, relaxing or going out.

About the Guest
With more than a decade experience in the fashion and jewelry industry, Angela Lanotte brings a unique perspective to the Portofino brand. Her passion for jewelry and Italian design has defined her extensive career. In addition to working in sales positions for many well-known brands, Angela has also served as a fashion consultant on major catwalks in Milan - one of the world's most renowned design capitals. Join Angela as she takes you on a journey to the Italian Riviera with this exclusive and exquisite jewelry collection.